Mod Commentary

[Bons]

It would be especially helpful for people not very familiar with the game to know just where/when it happens and who it (primarily) involves, not including every area you travel to or every NPC involved!

This information is required in each ReadMe per contest rules, so an entry can be judged.

[julwise]

Hmm, I do remember looking at the readme for the "kiss before dying" mods and I remember that some of them were fine and some I still had little to no idea what the mod did or where it began/how to get to it.

[Quitch]

If I interpret correctly, it seems like all Quitch wants is as much description as you would give any other "non-contest" mod. Which, obviously, doesn't involve giving a description of every event in the mod. I have deliberatly avoided downloading Iron Modder entries because I simply have no idea what most of them do! It would be especially helpful for people not very familiar with the game to know just where/when it happens and who it (primarily) involves, not including every area you travel to or every NPC involved!

It is good to see some sense lurks on the board.

[Imrahil]

It would be especially helpful for people not very familiar with the game to know just where/when it happens and who it (primarily) involves, not including every area you travel to or every NPC involved!

This information is required in each ReadMe per contest rules, so an entry can be judged.

True, but I think what people want is a better description *before* you get to that point.  For example, here's what the judges said about Icelus's Kiss Before Dying entry...

IRON MODDER ICELUS

Iron Modder Icelus presents a story of love after life, and kisses after death. Is the love of a shambling monster the cure for Black Lotus addiction?

"Icelus gave us a most interesting and moving story of a man seemingly cursed with undeath, who actually was given a second chance to kiss his true love and make his final farewell to her before he moved on.  This story was particularly interesting because he hinted at a intriguing story concerning the wife's fall from the temple of Sune, a story that was hinted, but never fully explained.  Perhaps he might expound on that side story, which seemingly has importance on the main plot." - UU

"Sweet story, little too lovey dovey for my tastes though." - Slayne

"Mmm...this one is sooo good. I wish there were more on my plate! A tale of sorrow and bereavement involving love, loss, and the unmistakeable salty tang of rotting flesh. Absolutely delicious! This little tidbit could very easily have been added into the original game, and with just a little bit more by way of side dishes would make a delectable little miniquest. The depth and vivid flavor of the writing make this dish unforgettable!" - Sorschana

Over in the "Best Of" thread, when listing my favorites, I said...

"Icelus's  Kiss Before Dying - adds a quest you begin in one of the tombs in the Graveyard District (the one near the orphan & the Priest) - only problem is I've never been able to actually find the ghost's love (probably due to having other Copper Coronet modifying MOD's in place), but I know where she should be & I CLUA her in when I get there"

While not as colorful & "foody" as the judges, I think you can tell what the MOD actually does a little better.  Maybe have 1 judge who's in charge of giving a literal description rather than a colorful one?

- Imrahil

[jcompton]

Yes, we call her "Kismet", but I prefer it when she mods, quite frankly.

[Cybersquirt]

^ Well I hope you (at least) let her out for air and food once in a while.   

[Kismet]

^ Well I hope you (at least) let her out for air and food once in a while.   

Once a month, whether I need it or not.  (He's such a slave driver)

[Quitch]

Yes, we call her "Kismet", but I prefer it when she mods, quite frankly.

We need some sanity on the commentary team.

[Jhuri]

I belive Quitch would be excelent judge , Quitch makes excelent mod in RTW i have read of it on local newsgroup!!!
I am sorry about this being out of place in here but quitch where can i find your mods home

[Mongoose87]

*cough*suckup--*cough*

[Jhuri]

I am sorry i know not the meaning , However i belive in being kind of peoples work .You tell me i am suck up I belive I am kind person do you have problem with that

[Quitch]

I belive Quitch would be excelent judge , Quitch makes excelent mod in RTW i have read of it on local newsgroup!!!
I am sorry about this being out of place in here but quitch where can i find your mods home

In my signature.

[Imrahil]

Are you actively trying to discourage people from checking out these mods?

Once again, I feel like the above rings true.  I got a pretty good idea of what Andyr's latest submission involves, & to some extent Ghrey's, but the rest could be gibberish for all that it matters.  I've simply no idea what to expect, where to go, who to talk to, what it adds, what point in the game to look for it (it's a big game... even "it involves Imoen" is not that helpful unless you already know what it does), whether or not it's "game-breaking" (i.e. is it OK to install on a regular game or will it kill/slime my whole party?), why I should even install it...

I like trying these out, I really do - I always look forward to the latest IM Pack being released, but please, please... get some better descriptions of what they actually do. 

- Imrahil

[Andyr]

Are you actively trying to discourage people from checking out these mods?

Once again, I feel like the above rings true.  I got a pretty good idea of what Andyr's latest submission involves, & to some extent Ghrey's, but the rest could be gibberish for all that it matters.

I think there is a balance to be achieved between letting people know what the mod does and not giving away too many spoilers.

[neriana]

Most of them are so short that any information at all about what they do (rather than how to see them) would be a spoiler.

[SimDing0™]

As people are familiarising themselves with the concept and techniques, Iron Mods are getting more advanced. It's fairly telling that mine is almost always the shortest, shittiest entry.

[Avenger_teambg]

No surprise Sim
It was the same with the tbg contests.

[SimDing0™]

Hey, there was a lot of content in my TeamBG entry... I even made a new area.

...even if the entire story did focus around an ogre that shouted "NO PUBES".

[Quitch]

Most of them are so short that any information at all about what they do (rather than how to see them) would be a spoiler.

Yet so little information people can't even decide whether they're worth downloading (and thus don't download them) is surely worse?

[jcompton]

Most of the fun of the Iron Mods is discovering how each author chose to exhibit the theme.

If you do not find this process of discovery fun, odds are you're not going to find the end result fun, either.

[julwise]

Anything you have to spend an hour plus trying to find is going to have a frustrating, not fun, end result.

[jcompton]

Since all of the Iron Mods are judged in a half-hour timeframe, I suggest that it shouldn't take you an hour.

[julwise]

Oh, having finished the game only once, i'm sure it would take more than an hour.

[jcompton]

The mod READMEs all include specific instructions for experiencing the new content--that's part of the contest requirement. So, okay, even if you don't know the game inside and out, you can follow the instructions to get to it--or just reach it leisurely.

[julwise]

Well I haven't downloaded anything since the last contest, and I don't fully remember what the read-me's said, but I know I didn't install them. Anyway, my mistake I guess.